Nicola Bulley's partner 'doesn't think she went in the river' as findings cast doubt on police theory

The partner of Nicola Bulley says he is "100 per cent convinced" that she did not fall into the river despite a police theory which suggests she drowned.

Paul Ansell has described the "unprecedented hell" following Nicola's disappearance from St Michael’s on Wyre on January 27 but is adamant that "we're going to find her".

Extensive searches of the river have been carried out by Lancashire police along with Peter Faulding and his private diving team.

Faulding claims that Nicola’s partner Paul Ansell was surprised by the minimal depth of the water which police believe she fell into and drowned.

"Personally, I am 100 per cent convinced it’s not the river, that’s my opinion. Because people don't just vanish into thin air, it's absolutely impossible," Nicola's partner Paul told Channel 5.

Nicola Bulley's friends have launched an appeal for more information
Owen Humphreys

"So something has happened. Find out what it is, there has to be a way to find out what happened, there has to be.

"You cannot walk your dog down a river and just vanish into thin air. Something happened that day, something."

The father added that he is remaining "positive" and insists that he will not "ever give up on her."

He said: "What we’re going through now is like unprecedented hell. But that hope and that positivity in me is stronger than ever, and I’m never, ever going to let go.

"Nicky would never give up on us ever. She wouldn’t give up on anybody. And we’re not gonna ever give up on her like, we’re going to find her.”

Friends of Nicola have launched a fresh appeal for information as her daughters ask every day is she’s coming home.

Paul said that his family "could not fault police" throughout their investigation.

“I mean I have to categorically say I cannot fault the police in any of this, they have been incredible, and the relationship that we have working on this is still very, very strong, it’s very good," he added.

"So this isn’t any criticism of them at all, I just want to make that clear.”

A vigil was held this morning in the village where Nicola went missing while walking her dog exactly a fortnight ago.

Emma White was among loved-ones standing alongside a main road holding a photograph of Nicola and urging any witnesses to come forward.

Police have turned their investigation towards the Irish sea
Owen Humphreys

She said: “We just need Nikki home for her two beautiful little girls who need their mummy. It's like torture."

“The girls, when they get home from school, ask ‘any news on mummy?’ and Paul [Nikki's partner] has to say ‘no’ and he can see the little girls just deflate.

“The little girl is saying ‘Is my mummy famous?’ I didn't quite know how to answer that myself… for the wrong reasons.”

In the latest police appeal, officers are said to be looking for a “tatty” red van that was in the area.

Detectives have traced up to 700 vehicles and their drivers a team of 40 detectives has so far found no evidence of third-party involvement, insisting their “main working hypothesis” is that Nicola drowned.

Candles are lit around a photo of Nicola Bulley and her partner Paul Ansell
Owen Humphreys

But said there was still a “possibility” that Nicola left the area by one path not covered by cameras which is crossed by the main road through the village.

It comes as the search shifted to the Irish Sea after a team of expert divers abandoned their search of the River Wyre.

White added: “We ultimately have an area out of the river where Nikki may have gone in that we have no footage for.

“We don't know if Nikki wandered out or anyone has been seen. This is really crucial and that is what we're pushing for today to raise that profile.”

The latest development in the mum's disappearance comes as police issued a dispersal order after groups filmed themselves on TikTok trying to get into a large derelict house close to where she was last seen.